Individual Support Every Step of the Way

The Student Support Team (which consists of the Student Counselors, the Learning Specialist, and the Director of Community and Inclusion) emphasizes the importance of social and emotional well-being in addition to providing academic support. One of four full-time student counselors is assigned to every new student, and that counselor stays with her throughout her Ursuline experience. In a safe and supportive environment, the counselors work individually with students to help develop healthy coping skills and resiliency.

Students can meet with the Student Support Team to receive support in areas that include, but are not limited to:

• Stress management skills
• Making smart social choices
• Managing the adjustment and transition to high school
• Building self-confidence and self-advocacy skills
• Navigating friendship, family, and relationship dynamics
• Academic related questions or concerns (such as time management, organization, course selection, etc.)
• Concussion support

 Please note however that these services are not intended to substitute for long-term mental health counseling, diagnosis, or medication management, which are not the responsibility of Ursuline Academy. The Student Support Team members are available to meet with students as needed through both scheduled (via a Teams message or email) and drop-in appointments. These services may be sought directly by students and families, or as advised by Ursuline.

The Ursuline Student Advisory Program fosters community and offers each individual student a support system with a committed adult advocate within the school.

Advisors are paired with the same students for four years. Each advisory group has approximately 9-12 students and typically meets once a week.

Advisory Program Goals align with the
Ursuline Core Values:

Development of the whole person
Respect for the uniqueness of the individual
Spiritual formation and faith development
School spirit
Commitment to peacemaking
Serviam (I will serve) as a lived reality

Supporting Student Learning Styles

Each year, Ursuline welcomes a new student body with a variety of learning styles and challenges. A Learning Specialist is on staff to help meet student needs. In an effort to provide for each student, including those with learning differences, Ursuline offers limited accommodations to support academic and emotional success. The Learning Specialist manages both classroom and standardized testing accommodations and is available to meet with all students individually to assist in organizational and study skills.

How to receive accommodations:

• The student must have current testing (within the past three years) from a licensed professional counselor or educational diagnostician.
• The evaluation must include both a cognitive and achievement test.
• Submit documentation to Kristina Caldwell, Learning Specialist, for review.

Students who provide documentation of a diagnosed disability receive 50 percent extended time on all classroom assessments, quizzes, and in-class essays as well as preferential seating. Additional accommodations, when supported by an evaluation, may include use of a calculator, a computer for writing essays, and no penalty for spelling unless it is the focus. Current testing must be on file before any applications may be made through College Board or ACT for extended time on standardized tests.

While Ursuline makes reasonable attempts to accommodate the needs of students with physical, learning, or other disabilities, the scope of services Ursuline is able to offer may not be sufficient to meet the unique needs of a particular student.